Born August 29

Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, a musical powerhouse whose fame spanned decades and found fans from all walks of life. He was a compelling performer from a young age, leading his brothers in the Jackson Five before he was 10 years old and scoring his first No. 1 hit single, “I Want You Back,” when he was 11. He went on to solo stardom, making history with albums like “Thriller,” which remains the best-selling album of all time. He won 13 Grammy awards and a record-breaking 26 American Music awards, set a number of Guinness world records, and is a two-time member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as a member of the Dance Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and more. We remember Jackson’s life today as well as the lives of other notable people who died this day in history.

1958: Michael Jackson, U.S. singer-songwriter, dancer, and actor known for smash hits including “Beat It,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “Black or White,” is born in Gary, Indiana.